News

Kentucky Speedway has been selected by the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau as the winner of its 2000 Dream Catcher award. The award was presented Wednesday, February 14, 2001 at the Convention and Visitors Bureau's annual meeting. Jerry Carroll, Chairman and Co-Owner of Kentucky Speedway, accepted the award.

"This is what I do and I will keep doing it the rest of my life; creating a positive economic impact in our region," said Carroll.

The Dream Catcher award is given each year to individuals and organizations that turn dreams into special events, in turn creating a positive economic impact by attracting visitors to the region.

Kentucky Speedway revved up the region's excitement over motor sports when the $153 million dollar facility opened in Sparta, Kentucky on June 16, 2000. The Kentucky Speedway's inaugural year drew 300,000 fans to the region, breaking several sanctioning bodies stand-alone attendance records. The speedway set records with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR All-Pro Series, ARCA, and had the largest Indy Racing League race outside of the Indianapolis 500.

The track also hosted 52,147 fans to see the Summer Sanitarium Tour featuring Metallica. According to Amusement Business Magazine, the concert was the 19th biggest grossing event in the world in 2000.

The 2001 schedule will feature the Kentucky debut of the NASCAR Busch Series in June. In addition, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns for the Kroger 225 and ARCA will run twice. Indy Racing will also return with the Belterra Casino and Resort 300.